Synonyms of disputes

disputes 1 of 2

noun

plural of dispute

1

as in controversies

variance of opinion on a matter

a dispute over the proper pronunciation of "nuclear"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• controversies
• disputations
• disagreements
• debates
• differences
• contestations
• contentions
• dissensions
• difficulties
• firestorms
• conflicts
• clashes
• conflictions
• nonconcurrences
• quarrels
• arguments
• discords
• dissensuses
• collisions
• fights
• dissonances
• struggles
• misunderstandings
• altercations
• strifes
• bickers
• disaccords
• divisions
• combats
• divarications
• fallings-out
• kickups
• set-tos

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agreements
• harmonies
• accords
• consensuses
• acceptances
• compliances
• unanimities
• concords
• peaces

2

as in disagreements

an often noisy or angry expression of differing opinions

after much dispute, the school committee decided that all backpacks would have to be stored in lockers during class hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disagreements
• quarrels
• altercations
• controversies
• fights
• arguments
• bickers
• misunderstandings
• brawls
• squabbles
• disputations
• skirmishes
• wrangles
• imbroglios
• feuds
• clashes
• spats
• tiffs
• rows
• debates
• contretemps
• differences
• battles royal
• cross fires
• donnybrooks
• fallings-out
• rhubarbs
• tussles
• scraps
• hassles
• kickups
• argle-bargles
• set-tos
• tangles
• argy-bargies
• protests
• contentions
• objections
• vendettas
• attacks
• protestations
• dissensions
• run-ins
• logomachies
• fisticuffs
• catfights
• affrays
• melees
• fracases
• fusses
• frays
• free-for-alls

disputes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of dispute

1

as in challenges

to demand proof of the truth or rightness of

a whole slew of relatives eager to dispute his claim to being the sole heir

Synonyms & Similar Words

• challenges
• questions
• contests
• doubts
• queries
• protests
• calls in question
• impeaches
• oppugns
• opposes
• objects (to)
• mistrusts
• fights
• resists
• kicks (about)
• combats

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• believes
• accepts
• embraces
• defends
• supports
• swallows
• advocates
• backs
• promotes
• champions
• endures
• tolerates
• abides
• stomachs

2

as in bickers

to express different opinions about something often angrily

hometown fans disputing with visiting fans over which had the better team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bickers
• quarrels
• argues
• fights
• clashes
• squabbles
• debates
• brawls
• wrangles
• tiffs
• spats
• rows
• quibbles
• controverts
• hassles
• scraps
• locks horns
• falls out
• jars
• discusses
• brabbles
• altercates
• argufies
• mixes it up
• bandies words
• challenges
• butts heads
• contests
• contends
• dares
• protests
• tangles
• objects
• defies
• fusses
• cavils
• kicks
• nitpicks
• considers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agrees
• accepts
• consents
• coexists
• concurs
• gets along
• assents

3

as in debates

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion

in an extended session the city council disputed the need for a new high school

Synonyms & Similar Words

• debates
• discusses
• argues
• reviews
• talks over
• moots
• canvasses
• agitates
• bats (around or back and forth)
• bandies
• hashes (over or out)
• raises
• speaks (about)
• talks (about)
• considers
• propounds
• stirs up
• weighs
• introduces
• broaches
• talks out
• hammers out
• forges
• thrashes (out)
• deliberates
• wrestles (with)
• chews over

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disputes

Noun

China’s expanding naval capabilities could alter regional military calculations, particularly in areas where maritime disputes and competing territorial claims already exist. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026

With first-party fraud and friendly disputes eroding already thin retail margins, managing chargebacks requires far more than basic operational recovery. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

Prosecutors say surveillance and body-camera footage contradict ICE’s account; the agency denies intentional contact, calls the indictment a political stunt and disputes local officials’ authority to investigate. — Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Its central promise — keeping patients out of billing disputes — remains worth defending. — Christian Swann, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Qatar strongly denied the allegations Thursday, accusing Israeli politicians of attempting to drag the Gulf nation into Israel's domestic political disputes following the election. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

The federal government estimated there would be 17,000 disputes annually. — Lindsey Murtagh, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026

Residents have gotten into bitter personal disputes over the amendment in Facebook groups. — Naomi Nix, Time, 29 Oct. 2026

This means the choice should be somebody who, for instance, isn’t going to sound off divisively about politics, get into messy domestic disputes or start going on public benders. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026

Verb

That is a strong assumption — not a certainty about how the courts will rule — and Zucman disputes it. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026

For merchants, the practical question is whether that information will be available when a customer disputes a purchase. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

Boutin disputes that and told the Herald that kind of discussion never happened. — Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026

And no one disputes that a free green space is an improvement on an asphalt lot. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026

No one disputes that 3-year-old Nevada, who can be seen in several videos dominating on the pitch against kids one and two years older than him, is a soccer phenom. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

The source says Evans, 34, has seen the film, directed by Nathan Fielder, 43, and Lance Oppenheim, 30, and disputes the filmmakers’ account of how the surprising shower scene came about. — Elizabeth Rosner, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2026

Risley, however, disputes the idea that his collection contains objects that should to be repatriated. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

As Tripp Lite grew, Seid wrote checks to the Republican National Committee, ProPublica reported, and a longtime adviser described him as the Heartland Institute’s major patron, a Chicago-area think tank that disputes mainstream climate science. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026